SOCKETSENSE: Sensor-based socket system for socket manufacture tailored to the patient’s needs
The SOCKETSENSE project aimed to develop an innovative, advanced, sensor-based socket system to enable comfortable socket manufacturing, tailored to the patient’s needs. Cutting-edge technology was developed that uses real-time monitoring of residual limb tissues evolvement by collecting data through advanced embedded sensors. The end product will be designed through biomechanical modelling and CAD/CAM tools, and finally coming to life via additive manufacturing (AM).
With SOCKETSENSE, prosthetists can achieve a good socket fit within the same day when the patient needs a new one, and the technique is applicable to all lower limb amputees (above and below the knee). The SOCKETSENSE system incorporates:
- Soft, flexible and light-weight, 3D pressure and shear sensors based on an environmentally friendly new ‘composition of matter’ quantum technology super-sensor which can achieve functionality that has otherwise been unattainable
- Simple, low cost, low power processing, multi-touch and multi-functional electronic sensors that are easy to assemble and manufacture at scale
- Provision of a three-dimensional pressure map in real time for better prosthetic fit
- Advanced biomechanical analytics model to analyse the interaction of residual tissue and sockets
- Low cost, fast, 3D printing of sockets through automated socket design/generation codes in unified software
- Advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence algorithms to enhance the accuracy of data analysis
The project has also designed and implemented an artificial intelligence (AI) based optimisation toolkit for socket design.
SOCKETSENSE was designed to boost Europe’s technological and competitive advantage in the growing healthcare and medical wearable devices industries. Visit the SOCKETSENSE website for more on the project.
Partners: South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Quantum Technology Supersensors, Servicio Andaluz de Salud, Össur, SwereaIVF, KTH, Neuromedia, Essex Innovation Centre and the Healthcare Innovation Centre (HIC).
SOCKETSENSE received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 825429.